Technology Capital Investors (TCI), a New York investment firm that has underwritten a number of U.S.-based managed service providers (MSPs), said that it wants to expand its reach to Canada and has opened a new office in Toronto to scout for potential targets.

TCI is fresh off its acquisition of Savid Technologies Inc., a Chicago, IL managed service provider (MSP) and IT security services specialist. The company previously has acquired MSPs Bravura Networks and Avazpour Networking Services in addition to IT services companies External ITT, OS33, ETCI and Hostnet.

TCI officials believe that the Canadian market is ripe for growth in managed IT services and cloud computing.

"With thousands of small and mid-size businesses in need of IT expertise, Canada represents a high-potential growth market for managed service providers who deliver a comprehensive, business-minded approach to outsourced IT services," said Sam Attias, TCI managing partner.

The company said that it wants to build a network of service providers in major Canadian metropolitan areas and has allocated resources and personnel to find suitable MSPs in which to invest.

"What makes TCI different and more lucrative to MSPs is that we invest in the individual companies and brands, as well as provide them with greater operational efficiencies and access to superior technology solutions including cloud and security," Attias said.

“TCI is truly about partner enablement and making each MSP brand within the TCI portfolio stronger and more successful within the regions they operate," he said.

A number of successful MSPs are based in Canada. For example, Long View Systems, a highly-regarded MSP, maintains four offices in western Canada as well as four in the U.S. CompuVision, another high-flyer, operates two offices in western Canada and another two in the U.S. Others include The Utility Company, an Ontario-headquartered MSP, and XBase Technologies Corp. in Toronto.